Summer Youth Camps Offer Students Life-Changing Opportunities

March 1, 2020

From left: Returning camp director Sandra Casas and first-year delegates Madison Liggens and Allysa Murphy get to know each other during co-op introductions at the ICUA Youth Rally. Photo by Layla Walz

High school seniors-to-be in WREC’s service territory, don’t miss out on an opportunity to spend a week this summer listening to world-class speakers, developing your leadership skills, making lifelong friends and having a ton of fun.

Submit your application by Thursday, April 2, to attend a summer youth camp sponsored by WREC. Every July, WREC takes students to camps in Idaho and Utah, where they are challenged to step outside their comfort zones along with students from other cooperatives across the West.

Students get to hear from nationally renowned speakers such as Paralympic gold medalist Mike Schlappi, last year’s keynote speaker. Schlappi shared a powerful message of perseverance and overcoming obstacles through the lens of an accidental gunshot wound that left him paralyzed as a teenager.

Aubree Talbert, center, of Wells works with a teammate to complete a team challenge on the ropes course. Photo by Garrett Hylton

Students also have the opportunity to challenge themselves on rope courses and participate in massive water fights and trips to local water parks.

“My favorite camp memory has to be the obstacle course,” she says. “It showed me that we can all struggle together, and it really pulled me out of my shell. I met friends at camp that I still talk to. I valued the whole experience deeply.”

“Being able to go back two years in a row was an absolute blast, and I was so thankful for the opportunity,” Sydney says. “The first year, I was chosen to go as a camper and, at first, it was a little nerve-wracking being around a bunch of new people. But once you get to the camp, you forget about everything, and the week flies by with all the activities that you do. You learn so much important information that you can take with you throughout the rest of your life. The second year, going back as a director was probably one of the best things I did that summer. If you get the opportunity to go, please take the opportunity. You will not regret it. It is a week full of knowledge and fun, and you meet so many new people who you have a chance of being lifelong friends with.”